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Making the Russian World Junior Squad: Forwards |
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Anton Slepyshev - Mikhail Grigorenko – Nikita Kucherov
Maxim Shalunov - Alexander Khokhlachev – Nail Yakupov
Nikolai Prokhorkin - Yevgeni Mozer – Anton Zlobin
Anton Shenfeld - Bogdan Yakimov – Yaroslav Kosov
Line One:
As always this becomes a hard venture when you get to the nitty gritty details. However nobody can deny the amazing chemistry between Kucherov and Grigorenko, nor could they deny that he is pretty much the only elite center Russia can count on as the rest are a usual winger, a third liner in the waiting and a manchild who just happens to be good defensively. Kucherov is amazingly skilled and he is amazing with Grigo. Kucherov was one of the best players in the WJC’s last year and the best in the U18’s the year before that. Slepyshev is a great two-way player with extremely gifted hands that can shoot. All in all he’s a great player and was the last cut from the WJC’s last season. He may have gone undrafted but it was mostly his own fault for opening his gob about staying in the KHL for a few years. Regardless he’s the best Russian left winger and can help those two creative dynamos from their own issues, that is if he is healthy when the tournament rolls around.
Line Two:
This was the main line from the SSS. Yakupov will run the line with his excellent speed and great offensive diction, but will also need Koko’s speed to keep up with his overactive brain. Shalunov is the interesting mix as he is defensively responsible and provides some physical play, when he wants to. He was great as a member of their line for the most part and endears himself to this tournament as he can play a fourth line role just as easily as he can a first. All three will be counted on for offensive contributions but Shalunov will be there to make sure Yakupov’s inevitable one man rush and Koko’s inevitable following just beyond scoring effectuality will be offset by his rather brash tactic of actually going into the center of the ice with his head up.
Line Three:
I really like this line and I also like that it doesn't cater to the over analyzed notion of a top-6 bottom-6, who cares whose on the bottom if they get your rocks off. Mozer is doing well in the KHL and has an advanced game that lends itself to a third line. Considering he’s been there all year and I can’t recall ever seeing him before until he breezed into the gig for Omsk I’ll give him the benefit of the unknown doubt. Prokhorkin took an interesting rout and moved to the Manchester Monarchs instead of going to London. He’s been about as effective as most 18-19 year olds are in that he hasn't been. Yet he brings serious skill to a side needing any advantage they can get. Lastly Zlobin finds himself behind two elite RW’s, no fault on his part. He’s a solid scorer and able offensive creator. I like this line a lot as I think they can be a serious issue for any team hoping to match lines when they find out line three can bite you in the ass with quick strike counters.
Line Four:
Team Canada would usually roll out some defensively decent and hard hitting players for this role. Russia doesn't have an abundance of that style of players and in my personal view a tournament based on young players that make a lot of mistakes. Shenfeld had a solid SSS, but more importantly the 5’10 19 year old dominated the MHL and has found himself in the KHL. He’s got some great wheels and showed good hard work. Isles prospect Kosov is 6’4 and a hard hitter with a great defensive game, I think it’s a given that they have him on the squad as he is one of the few guys that fits the bill. Lastly draft eligible Yakimov is a good defensive center and with Russia’s lack of center depth he’s the only guy I can think of outside of Osnovin who is struggling. Yakimov is good on the draws and great at protecting the puck with his 6’4 frame. This isn't a typical fourth line but it’s solid.
Just Missing Out: Valentin Zykov (2013, Baie- Comeau Drakkar QMJHL) hurt to keep him off as I really love his game but he’s too young right now, Pavel Buchnevich (2013, Almaz Cherepovets MHL), Damir Zhafyarov (Metallurg Novokuznetsk KHL) having a surprisingly good year but lacks any defense and is a midget, Nikolai Goldobin (2014, Sarnia Sting), Valeri Nichushkin (2013, Belie Medvedi Chelyabinsk).
Thanks for reading, next up goalies then Team Canada.
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